Prev Next
Patrolman

Dennis Shea

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Accident
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch November 4, 1902
Age 34
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
The Vigil Panel 45 · Column 1 · Line 21 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman Dennis Shea was killed in a massive explosion at a fireworks display at Madison Square Park in which 12 people were killed and over 70 were injured.

Patrolman Shea was patrolling the crowd at a fireworks display in Madison Square when one of the fireworks misfired. The misfire ignited a large pile of fireworks and caused the explosion. A large piece of metal struck Patrolman Shea in the head, fracturing his skull. He died from his injuries.

Patrolman Shea had served with the New York City Police Department for four years and was survived by his wife. He was assigned to the Brooklyn Bridge Squad.

Patrolman Shea was patrolling the crowd at a fireworks display in Madison Square when one of the fireworks misfired. The misfire ignited a large pile of fireworks and caused the explosion. A large piece of metal struck Patrolman Shea in the head, fracturing his skull. He died from his injuries.

Patrolman Shea had served with the New York City Police Department for four years and was survived by his wife. He was assigned to the Brooklyn Bridge Squad.

Survivors

Patrolman Shea had served with the New York City Police Department for four years and was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnmfs4bq03gfss0hh25d
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dennis. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Shea gave the New York City Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Shea.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York City Police Department
Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 4, 1902
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Dennis is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1902, 17 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 124th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Dennis was 34. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Dennis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Dennis among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Dennis Shea

New York City Police Department · End of Watch November 4, 1902

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W

↑